Ukraine's F-16s flew in combat for the first time at the end of August when they helped repel a Russian missile and drone attack.

U.S. Air Force pilots graduating from training courses with the T-38 Talon may be required to fly non-fighter or bomber aircraft as a result of pilot shortages, according to a new Air Force policy. The challenges in pilot inventory were outlined in an August service memo reviewed by Defense News and confirmed by an Air Force official.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered that the Russian army grow by 180,000 active-duty troops for a total of 1.5 million soldiers

Ukraine's acquisition of a few older F-16 fighter jets is unlikely to change the trajectory of the war against Russia. The Ukrainian pilots' limited training on these advanced aircraft and the small number of jets promised make their effectiveness questionable.